Lights, Camera... Nude!: A Guide to Lighting the Female Nude for Photography by A. K. Nicholas Read Free Book Online Page A

technique a push in the direction of superior lighting. There is no substitute for hard work, and though this book may save you some time in compiling much of the information you need to light the nude, you still have to put in the time to learn by doing. Try, fail, and try again. There will be times when you get frustrated, and there will be times when you become content not to push yourself. It’s at times of difficulty that I remind myself that every great athlete, musician, and photographer had to practice and pushed themselves hard to get where they are. They attempt the difficult, over and over, so that it becomes learned, then rote. It is not by playing it safe that you train for greater accomplishment—it is by pushing your limits so that repeated efforts eventually becomes a new skill.
     

     
    Photo 75: Model in studio
     
    Model: Ariel W.
     

Glossary
     
    b acklight (a.k.a . hair light) Typically above the subject, either directly behind or slightly to one side. Light colored hair can look great with backlighting.
     
    barn doors A lighting modifier consisting of two or four flaps that keep light from spilling out of the desired area.
     
    boom A light stand that holds a light above the model.
     
    chromatic aberration Displacement of the red and blue channels of an image due to lens characteristics; results in color fringes where light and dark areas meet.
     
    diffuser A translucent material placed in front of a light to soften and reduce its intensity.
     
    falloff Decline in quantity of light at the edge of the area the light covers.
     
    fill light A light of less intensity than the key light , that fills shadows.
     
    flag An object designed to block light, usually an opaque panel.
     
    grid A honeycomb pattern grid that directs light in one direction. More restrictive than barn doors. Controls light to a specific angle (20°, 40°, etc.)
     
    heads & pack Studio lighting consisting of a power pack and usually several lighting heads. Light heads are attached via special power cords.
     
    key light The main (most powerful) light pointed at the model
     
    k icker (a.k.a. accent light) At a low angle, placed to one side of the model, at least slightly behind (95-degrees, but not more than 135-degrees)
     
    model zone My term for the area where the model can move and still be well lit.
     
    modifier Any device that controls the quality, quantity, and or direction of light.
     
    monolight A portable, self contained light with flash tube and power in one unit, plugs directly into household power.
     
    r im l ight , (a.k.a. r immer ) Placed behind the model, so that she blocks the light; points directly at the lens.
     
    snoot A lighting modifier that restricts the light to a narrow beam.
     
    spot meter A light meter that takes readings from a very narrow angle of view, usually 1-degree. Usually a hand-held device (not built into a camera)
     
    strobe A photographic flash.
     
    watt second (WS) A measurement of a strobe’s power output.
     
     
     

Resources
Password for Freebies from the Author’s Website
     
    For free stuff, including digital images, visit nudephotoguides.com/reader You will need to supply the username: lighting , and password: studio 4
     
Online Resources
    For up-to-date resources visit nudephotoguides.com/resources
     
Equipment Reviews
     
    shutterbug.com
     
    strobist.net
     
New & Used Equipment
     
    abesofmaine.com adorama.com bhphoto.com calumetphoto.com keh.com paulcbuff.com samys.com
     
Forums
    inspiring-photography.com
     
    newschoolofphotography.com
     
    photo.net
     
    photocamel.com
     
    photosig.com
     
    thenewnude.com
     
    thephotoforum.com
     
Technique
photozone.de
     
Suggested Topics of Study
     
    The following general photography topics are not covered in detail in the guide but are helpful when lighting the nude. If you’re not familiar with any of the following, a basic photo lighting book or web search can help you.
     
 
     
    •  Additive color